The Vegas Golden Knights had plenty to celebrate in Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks.
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Mitch Marner continues to shine as a key force for the Vegas Golden Knights in the Stanley Cup playoffs. His high-profile teammates also stepped up significantly during Game 3 against the Anaheim Ducks.
Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb netted goals in the first period, and Marner followed with three straight tallies to record his first career playoff hat trick, leading the Golden Knights to a decisive 6-2 victory Friday night at Honda Center. The win gives Vegas a 2-1 series edge over the upstart Ducks in the second round.
Game 4 is set for Sunday night in Anaheim. After the Ducks put up two strong performances to earn a split in Las Vegas, the Golden Knights responded with their best outing of the series, jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the second period. Vegas now has a chance to seize control of the series.
Marner now leads the NHL with 13 points in the playoffs, including six goals and seven assists, and is just one point shy of tying his career high for a single postseason. His six goals in nine playoff games with Vegas already represent his highest total in a single postseason, surpassing his nine-year tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Theodore also recorded an assist on Marner’s second goal, in addition to his first-period score. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Pavel Dorofeyev each contributed assists. Stone left the game in the first period due to an apparent injury.
“Not all problems are solved because you win a game,” Vegas coach John Tortorella said. “You have to keep on trying to get better. I thought we entered the series tonight, playing our game a little more than we have, but we’re going to have to keep improving.”
Carter Hart made 30 saves for Vegas. Ducks rookie Beckett Sennecke broke Hart’s shutout bid with a goal at 6:30 of the third period, marking Sennecke’s second straight game with a goal. Chris Kreider scored for Anaheim with five minutes remaining to cut the lead to 5-2 before Brett Howden added an empty-net goal late.
**Marner’s Hat Trick Dominance**
Marner has consistently been Vegas’ best player during the playoffs, and he delivered again Friday night with a natural hat trick.
“I think he’s a hell of a hockey player,” Tortorella said of Marner. “I’ve watched him from afar for many years. We feel we’re very fortunate to have him on this team.”
Playing back in his natural wing position, Marner jump-started the Golden Knights with two first-period points, both on special teams. First, he stole the puck from the Ducks’ power play, skated the length of the ice to back off Anaheim’s defenders, and dropped the puck to McNabb in open space. McNabb buried the shot for Vegas’ third short-handed goal of the playoffs. Marner has recorded the primary assist on all three.
“Mitch was fantastic,” Theodore said. “He’s just so smart. He’s so skilled. You can use him in every situation. It’s good to see him elevating his game even more. It’s definitely a good time to get three goals for sure.”
In the closing seconds of the first period, Marner scored his first goal of the night by pouncing on a loose puck in front of the Anaheim net, extending Vegas’ lead to 3-0. He scored his second goal midway through the second period on a rush, as Theodore slid the puck to him on the weak side, and Marner calmly tucked it around the outstretched pad of Anaheim backup Ville Husso to make it 4-0.
Marner completed his first career playoff hat trick later in the second period, finding room on the short side of the net from a sharp angle near the goal line.
**Dostal’s Short Night**
